Are you thinking about burning yard waste or gathering around a backyard bonfire this fall? The Buffalo Grove Fire Department has issued some tips and reminders:

The Village of Buffalo Grove does not allow residents to partake in any open burning. Special consideration is given upon request to conduct prairie burns, religious ceremonies and similar events. Open burning can quickly result in a disastrous fire, particularly if left unattended or if proper precautions are not taken. The Buffalo Grove Fire Department will be called to extinguish any unpermitted open burns. Outdoor fire pits fall into the category of a recreational fire. A recreational fire is defined as: An outdoor fire burning materials other than rubbish where the fuel being burned is not contained in an incinerator, outdoor fire place, barbeque grill or barbeque pit and has a total fuel area of three feet or less in diameter and two feet or less in height. Outdoor pits can only be used for pleasure, religious, ceremonial, cooking, warmth or similar purposes. In Buffalo Grove, fire pits cannot be used to burn off yard waste or trash. Any fire pit can be ordered extinguished if the smoke from the fire is objectionable to a neighbor.

For a full list of the rules regarding fire pits and open burning, call the Buffalo Grove Fire Department at (848) 537-0995.

• The Surgeon General has determined that there is no safe level of exposure to ambient smoke!

• If you smell even a subtle odor of smoke, you are being exposed to poisonous and carcinogenic chemical compounds!

• Even a brief exposure to smoke raises blood pressure, (no matter what your state of health) and can cause blood clotting, stroke, or heart attack in vulnerable people. Even children experience elevated blood pressure when exposed to smoke!

• Since smoke drastically weakens the lungs' immune system, avoiding smoke is one of the best ways to prevent colds, flu, bronchitis, or risk of an even more serious respiratory illness, such as pneumonia or tuberculosis! Does your child have the flu? Chances are they have been exposed to ambient smoke!